Flush tank assembly



Jan. 10, 1956 R. w. DOWNIN 2,72

FLUSH TANK ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ROLAND W DOWN/N BY fizmmmw ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1956 R. w. DOWNIN 2,729,826

FLUSH TANK ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 62 g was INVENTOR ROLAND W DOWN/N BY @MZJZZ ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 2,729,826 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 2,729,826 FLUSH TANK ASSEMBLY Roland W. Downin, Port Deposit, Md. Application October 5, 1954, Serial No. 460,413v

16 Claims. (Cl. 4-41) This invention relates to an assembly of elements that may be employed to replace part or all of the elements employed in the conventional domestic flush tank or any other tank requiring periodic filling and emptying.

The conventional domestic flush tank contains as its two principal elements a ball-cock assembly for admitting water-to the tank and a flush valve assembly. Each of these devices includes a number of parts subject to wear and corrosion in consequence of which it is necessary to make periodic replacement or repair of these parts. Although some of the parts themselves may be comparatively inexpensive, the time needed to get at the one part to replace it is Sufiicient so that the matter is quite annoying to the owner who finds it necessary to employ a plumber or maintenance man for the job. Even so, the time involved in going out to the work is such that the plumber is not well rewarded because he cannot charge enough to be bothered with work of this character.

Although there are many styles and types of both these devices the operating principles of all those commonly sold are essentially the same and the differences are primarily in the manner in which the elements are coupled together to accomplish the same result. Even the differences in these assemblies makes for dissatisfaction since the plumber or maintenance man going out to the job is rarely informed of the particular make or type of apparatus contained in the flush tank and, in addition, the many various manufacturers types makes it an impossibility for the plumber or maintenance shop to stock all these many parts, so that he must beprepared to repair whatever type he has to deal with using the supply of repair parts that he has brought along with him. For example, there are more than fifty makes of ball-cocks. This frequently results in make-shift replacement of a part taken from one brand of apparatus and placed in another. In turn, this results in excessive wear of some of the parts, other malfunction and another repair call with more inconvenience and dissatisfaction.

The existing devices also have the disadvantages that in advanced state of disrepair, they cause wastage of water, excessive sweating of the tank due to the large amount of water passing through the tank and are noisy in operation. Failure occurs unexpectedly and frequently requires an emergency call for repairs.

The device of this invention is designed to replace both the ball-cock and flush valve assembly, either in a new installation or as a substitute for existing mechanisms. What is more, it is susceptible to a number of simple modifications that will enable it to be used as a replacement for any of the existing types of assemblies so that a plumber taking the device out to the job may do so in full confidence that it will not be necessary for him to return to the shop for any modifying devices to adapt it to an existing installation.

The invention can best be understood in relation to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section of one embodiment of the'invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation, partly in section of another modification; and

Figure 3 is a bottom plan of an element.

As shown in Figure 1, the conventional flush tank 10 is provided with an inlet 12, an outlet 14 and a trip lever 16 beside various other old internal mechanism which for the purposes of the present discussion it will be assumed have been previously removed. If the old outlet structure extends too far above the floor of tank 10, it may be cut down but, as will be shown hereafter, in most cases this will not be necessary. The new mechanism is all supported on base plate 18 which is provided with a depending skirt 20 all around, of sufficient depth to raise the base plate proper abovethe remaining outlet structure left in the tank.

The tank is drained completely dry including sponging up any trace of water left remaining on the floor of the tank. Any loose scale or dirt on the floor of the tank should also be removed. After allowing sufficient time for the tank to become completely dry a layer of adhesive 26 is applied to the flange 24 of skirt 20 and the base plate is then placed in position with its outlet 28 approximately centered over the outlet of the tank 14; exact registration is not required. The adhesive employed may be any elastic water-proof material suitably resistant to ageing. Among those that I have found satisfactory is 3M Sealer (Formula EC-l) manufactured by the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company.

Attached to the base plate 18 is overflow pipe 22 of suflicient height to extend above the normal water line of the tank but sufficiently below the top of the tank to accommodate any unwanted overflow.

The opening 28 is provided with a seat 30 adapted to receive in sealing engagement, ball 32. For added life of the assembly, it may be desirable to make the seat 30 replaceable by providing it with screw-threads.

Surrounding ball 32 and acting as a guide therefor are tripod legs 34 which serve to support valve body 36.

The legs 34 may be secured to the base 18 in any suitable manner, either permanently as by welding or in such manner that they may be removed as by screws.

Free to move within the body 36, both rotationally and vertically is piston 38 having depending skirt 40 which flares out conically toward the base thereof. The valve body is provided with an inlet 42 and an outlet 44 about midway between its vertical length. The inlet is provided with seat 48 for a ball 46 of corrosion resistant material. The ball, piston and piston skirt are of such relative dimensions that when the piston has traveled to its upper limit the ball will be wedged by the piston skirt against the seat closing the inlet. On the other hand, the ball will prevent the piston from falling through the valve body as it reaches its lower limit. The piston is provided with internal conduit 49 and extension tube for accommodating chain 50 connecting ball 32 and trip lever 16.

The inlet 42 of the valve mechanism may be connected to the inlet 12 of the tank by means of a suitable flexible connection of any desired type. V

Secured to extension tube 49 is float 52. It may be held by upper 54 and lower 56 horseshoe clips seated in nicks 58. A plurality of nicks may be provided in order to adjustably position the float 52 on the extension tube 48.

The operation of the device is as follows: 7 When the trip lever is actuated to raise ball 32, water flows through the outlet 28, the ball 32 being sufiiciently a, CB

buoyant not to interfere with the flow of the water. As the piston falls due to the float 52 losing its support, the ball 48 is released from its seat, thereby permitting the fiow of fresh water into the tank. As the tank is drained, ball 32 returns to its seat and as the tank fills, the float is carried upwards until ball 46 is returned to its seat, cutting off the flow of water at the desired filling level. When the device is first put in operation the desired level can be determined upon and the location of the float 52 fixed by means of the clips 54 and 56 being placed in the desired nicks 58.

If desired, the outlet 44 may discharge directly into the tank. If, however, it is desired to prevent back syphoning the tip-turned end 69 of outlet 44 may discharge into standpipe 62 secured to the base 118. The standpipe is provided with a cap 64 to turn back undue splashing of discharge from the up-turned end 60-. Vents 66 are provided in the upper end of the standpipe to permit free access of the atmosphere while a series of holes 68 near the base of the standpipe permit flow of the water from the standpipe into the tank.

The modification shown in Figure 2 is suited to new applications and in some cases to old applications also. A body 70 is screw-threaded at its base to fit an existing screw-threaded portion 72 associated with the tank. A side channel 74 is provided for installation of the overflow pipe 22. At the upper end of the body 70 is a ring 76 provided with threads 78 that interlock with companion threads 80 located on ring $2 to which are secured the legs 34. The threads 78 and 89 are of the stepped type so that approximately one-quarter of a turn of the ring 82 will either engage or disengage the threads permitting the entire assemblage to be lifted out of the tank for inspection, adjustment or repair.

This invention employs a significantly smaller number of parts than the conventional elements included in a flush tank. It replaces the complete inlet valve assembly of the ball-cock nor does it require a float ball or a float ballrod. If the float employed develops a leak, it is less likely to be completely incapacitated than the conventional float ball. Guides and lift wires are also done away with. The water-tight connections employed in this device are less likely to develop leaks than those employed in the common type of unit. The parts of this device are of more substantial cross-section and hence more rugged. Parts that are required to fit closely are more easily finished by machine and where there are moving parts in the piston and valve assembly, the parts fit equally well no mater how much rotation of piston and ball takes place; in fact the continued rotation of the parts is helpful in insuring evenness of wear. The float ball 32 also operates in any position assuring more successful seating and reduction of the wear due to seating in one particular spot. This device also has the advantage that when filling the tank, it permits full flow of water almost to the point of cut-olf whereas conventional ball-cocks slowly taper off the amount of water admitted causing annoying whistling and gurgling of the tank.

It will be seen therefore, that I have provided a highly advantageous construction and I desire to protect this invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an assembly for emptying and refilling a liquidcontaining tank including a valve body including a cylinder in which a piston may move freely up and down, a piston for said cylinder including upper and lower cylinder engaging skirts and an intermediate, constricted conical portion, said cone sloping outwardly toward the bottom, an inlet and an outlet in the valve body at points intermediate the extremes of piston travel, aball confined within the annular space defined by the two piston skirts and the valve cylinder, a liquid tight seat for the ball in the inlet, the relative sizes of the cylinder, piston and b'all'being such that, at the upward limit of piston travel the ball is held in liquid sealing engagement on the seat, at the lower limit of piston travel, the ball prevents the piston from falling out of the cylinder and at all times except when the piston is at its upper limit, the displacement of the ball from the seat permits a flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet, and means for holding the piston at its upper limit of travel when the tank is full.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the piston holding means is a float.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the float is an inverted dish-shape.

4. The combinationof claim 2 wherein the piston is provided with an extension for securing the float thereto.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the point of attachment of the float is adjustable to vary the level of tank filling.

6. In an assembly for emptying and refilling a liquidcontaining tank including a valve body including a cylinder in which a piston may move freely up and down, a piston for saidcylinder including upper and lower cylinder engaging skirts and an intermediate, constricted conical portion, said cone sloping outwardly toward the bottom, an inlet and an outlet in the valve body at points intermediate the extremes of piston travel, a ball confined within the annular space defined by the two piston skirts and the valve cylinder, a liquid tight seat for the ball in the inlet, the relative sizes of the cylinder, piston and ball being such that, at the upward limit of piston travel the ball is held in liquid sealing engagement on the seat, at the lower limit of piston travel, the ball prevents the piston from falling out of the cylinder and at all times except when the piston is at its upper limit, the displacement of the ball from the seat permits a flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet; an outlet valve including a ball, a seat in the outlet for said ball, a connection between said ball and a trip lever, and means associated with the inlet valve body for holding it elevated above the outlet valve.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the connection is flexible.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the elevating means includes a plurality of stilts.-

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the stilts from an openwork enclosure for confining the lateral movement of the outlet ball.

10. Apparatus according to claim- 6 wherein the inlet valve piston is provided with a central passage for guiding the connection between the trip lever and the outlet ball.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the elevating means includes a plurality of stilts forming an openwork enclosure for confining the lateral movement of the outlet ball. 7

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the passage in the piston is extended upwardly by means of a tubular member.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tubular member supports a float for holding the piston at its upper limit of travel when the tank is full.

14. In an assembly for emptying and refilling aliquidcontaining tank including a valve body including a cylinder in which a piston may move freely up and down, a piston for said cylinder including upper and lower cylin' der engaging skirts and an intermediate,constricted conical portion, said cone sloping outwardly toward the bottom, an inlet and an outlet in the valve body at points intermediate the extremes of piston travel, a ball confined within the annular space defined by the two piston skirts and the valve cylinder, a liquid tight seat for the ball in the inlet, the relative sizes of the cylinder, piston and ball being such that-, atthe upward limit of piston travel the ball is held; in liquid; sealing engagement on the seat, at the lower limit of piston travel, the ball prevents the piston from fallingout of the-cylinder and at all times except when the piston is at its upper limit, the

displacement of the ball from the seat permits a flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet, a standpipe, and a conduit connecting the outlet of the valve body with the interior of the standpipe with its discharge point above the water level of the tank, the standpipe having an opening communicating with the tank above the water level and having another opening communicating with the tank below the water level and above the floor of the tank.

15. In an assembly for emptying and refilling a liquidcontaining tank including a valve body including a cylinder in which a piston may move freely up and down, a piston for said cylinder including upper and lower cylinder engaging skirts and an intermediate, constricted conical portion, said cone sloping outwardly toward the bottom, an inlet and an outlet in the valve body at points intermediate the extremes of piston travel, a ball confined within the annular space defined by the two piston skirts and the valve cylinder, a liquid tight seat for the ball in the inlet, the relative sizes of the cylinder, piston and ball being such that, at the upward limit of piston travel the ball is held in liquid sealing engagement on the seat, at the lower limit of piston travel, the ball prevents the piston from falling out of the cylinder and at all times except when the piston is at its upper limit, the displacement of the ball from the seat permits a flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet, an outlet valve including a ball, a seat in the outlet for said ball, a con nection between said ball and a trip lever, means associated with the inlet valve body for holding it elevated above the outlet valve, and a plate incorporating the outlet valve seat, including a footing for the elevating means.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein the plate is provided with a depending skirt.

No references cited. 

